Again a Black man is killed by police — this time 27-year-old Walter Wallace Jr. from West Philadelphia.
On Oct. 26, Philadelphia police officers arrived at the 6100 block of Locust Street, where they encountered Wallace with a knife. Wallace "advanced toward the officers," according to a police spokesperson.
A video taken by a bystander shows Wallace walking toward police officers who are pointing their guns at him. Wallace's mother and another man try to hold him back in an effort to defuse the situation. As Wallace continues to walk toward the two officers, they both suddenly open fire, striking him 10 times, according to his father.
Wallace's mother wails, and cradles his body. According to Walter Wallace Sr., his son was a father with a known history of mental health issues.
Having someone walk toward you with a knife is frightening. But as the agents of the state with the monopoly on the use of deadly force, police officers are supposed to be trained in de-escalation and to have tools to utilize before they discharge their weapon multiple times.
Again, protests erupted after the shooting. The residents along the commercial corridor of 52nd Street that is still recovering from unrest and police brutality in response from late May again saw smoke from dumpster fires and a burning police cruiser outside their windows — and police responding with batons.
Again, officials responded with somber statements. Mayor Jim Kenney said: "I have watched the video of this tragic incident and it presents difficult questions that must be answered." Commissioner Danielle Outlaw added that she will be "leaning on what the investigation gleans to answer unanswered questions."
But it's Kenney and Outlaw who need to provide us answers. And considering that the city is still waiting for many answers on the police response to the protests this spring, there is little reason for confidence that the investigation into the killing of Wallace will be swift and transparent.
